Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption
Developer(s)	Rockstar San Diego
Publisher(s)	Rockstar Games
Engine	RAGE, Euphoria
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release	April 27, 2010
Genre(s)	Action-adventure

Red Dead Redemption is a sandbox-style action-adventure western video game developed by Rockstar San Diego, due for release on April 27, 2010 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is the spiritual successor to 2004's Red Dead Revolver.

Synopsis

The game is set in 1908; it focuses around a former outlaw, John Marston, who is blackmailed by U.S. Government Agent Edgar Ross to search across the troubled American Frontiers to help bring in the rule of law. It was revealed that Marston has come to kill or capture his former gang members that include his old friend Bill Williamson. Along the way Marston meets a bunch of charismatic characters including Marshal Leigh Johnson and his Deputies, and becomes strong allies with them as he searches for Williamson. As Marston moves through into the Mexican border he encounters a rebel soldier called Abraham Reyes who needs his assistance in a Revolution against the Mexican Army in 1910.

The game will use open world gameplay similar to the Grand Theft Auto series with sandbox environments and a free-roaming ability. The environments will include frontier towns, prairies, and mountain passes. Realistic horses created with the Euphoria animation engine will play a major part of the game's transport. The game will also feature over 40 different types of animals that can be hunted; these animals include Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Bears, Cougars, Deer, Wolves, Coyotes, Vultures and many more.

Gameplay

Red Dead Redemption is a 3rd person action adventure in a Wild West setting. There are three main Regions to traverse; two in the Western United States, called New Austin and West Elizabeth, and one on the Mexican border, called Nuevo Paraiso. Random encounters generate as players explore the countryside, these include hangings, ambushes, pleas for help and animal attacks. Mini-games include: showdowns, gambling, hunting bounties, cattle herding and five finger fillet. An Honor and Fame system works as a morality gauge that presents players with choices as they interact with the game world. For example, stopping a robbery will earn the player honor, whereas helping the bandits will earn a wanted level. Combat and gun-play is a major part of Red Dead Redemption; John Marston has an arsenal of Weapons to choose from that include: a cattleman revolver, a mauser pistol, a repeater rifle, a sawed-off shotgun a throwing knife and a lasso . One combat feature that Marston can utilize is a Dead-Eye targeting system that slows down time and allows the player to paint targets over an enemy.

Development

A trailer of the project was released to a select number of people at a Sony conference in 2005. On February 3, 2009, Rockstar Games announced the first official trailer.

On May 6, 2009, the debut trailer became available for viewing on IGN and Rockstar's official website. The game will be developed using the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine used by Grand Theft Auto IV and Rockstar San Diego's own Midnight Club: Los Angeles, and will feature NaturalMotion's Euphoria animation engine. A second trailer revealing the game's release date was published on November 26, 2009 but was pulled later that day. The trailer was officially released on December 1, 2009, titled 'My Name is John Marston' , and gave information as to the central character of the story.

Another trailer, "Gameplay Series: Introduction," was released during the second week of December. It featured almost four minutes of in-game footage, including a detailed description of the game and events players will come across when experiencing the final version. This includes such activities as an example of using the lasso rope, hunting and emphasis on the graphical presentation of the landscape.

The second video, "Gameplay Series: Weapons and Death," was released on January 28, 2010. It again displayed four minutes of game footage, detailing the numerous weapons and shooting physics.

"The Law" was released on February 11th, 2010. It highlighted different character personalities, including: Leigh Johnson, the Marshal, The Deputies, and Agent Edgar Ross.

"The Women - Sinners, Saints, and Survivors." was released on Gamespot on Feb. 24, 2010. The 1:26 video featured several of the female characters from the game, though no names were given. A soft piano interlude proceeded the harsher Morricone-style music of the other trailers, showing off a different side of the games soundtrack.

Pre-order bonuses

In North America, Gamestop and Rockstar collaborated on a pre-order bonus in which customers can vote for one of three outfits that Marston can unlock in the game. Each outfit comes with a different bonus. For example, "The Deadly Assassin" outfit allows Marston to regenerate "Dead-Eye" targeting twice as fast. The "Savvy Merchant" halves the purchasing price of ammunition and guns and doubles the selling price for ammunition and guns. The "Expert Hunter" doubles the amount of money the player can get from selling hides of animals. Voting is open to all, but only those who pre-order the game through Gamestop will receive the unlockable outfit.

Along with the Gamestop pre-order special, there are several other pre-order bonuses through other game store chains throughout North America and the U.K.

Bonuses include:

• An exclusive mini-guide for those who pre-order through Game Crazy.

• Pre-orders made through Amazon.com will allow players to unlock a "golden revolver". This gun, not available without the pre-order, will allow the player to receive more fame for each kill made.

• The "War Horse" will be available with pre-orders through Best Buy. This horse, unavailable without the pre-order, will move faster and have more damage resistance than the horses already roaming the game.

External links

• Official Website
• Official Trailer: "My Name is John Marston"
• Gameplay Series: Introduction
• Gameplay Series: Weapons and Death